Traffic, parking, gas prices, miles per gallon- many casual concerns might enter your mind when you get into your car and go out into the world. But what happens when your concerns are not casual but constant, and they start with figuring out whether you can even access where you’re trying to go in the first place?

One-third of people living in the United States don’t have a driver’s license, yet live in a system that doesn’t prioritize people who don’t or can’t drive. In her book When Driving is Not an Option: Steering Away From Car Dependency, Anna Letitia Zivarts sets out to explain why factoring nondrivers into planning decisions and improvements across our transportation system will create a better quality of life for everyone.

Drawing from interviews with involuntary nondrivers from around the United States and from her own lived experience, Zivarts explores the realities nondrivers face in a car-centric society. The majority of involuntary nondrivers nationwide are disabled, lower income, unhoused, undocumented, formerly incarcerated, very young, or elderly. These populations face significant financial and accessibility barriers attempting to navigate a transportation system that suffers from a major blind spot towards them- it’s a system designed and run by people who can drive.

When Driving is Not an Option evaluates the human health, environmental, and quality-of-life costs of our current systems and what changing them to be more equitable and accessible could look like for everyone- car user or not. In conversation with cycling policy leader Barb Chamberlain and fellow disability advocate Tanisha Sepúlveda, Zivarts touches on levels of change that could create expansive impacts- from accessible and affordable transit and housing to promoting diverse leadership, from sidewalk connectivity to creating more opportunities for biking, scooting, and wheeling. By acting on the needs of nondrivers who are frequently excluded from the conversation, Zivarts posits that more supportive structures and healthier, climate-conscious communities could be right around the corner.

Anna Zivarts is an author, organizer, disability advocate, and low-vision nondriver. She launched and currently serves as the Program Director of the Disability Mobility Initiative at Disability Rights Washington. She represents disabled nondrivers on the Washington State Active Transportation Council and previously served as the equity and accessibility expert on NHTSA’s Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Program Assessment teams for Kentucky and Maryland.

Barb Chamberlain is the Director of the Active Transportation Division of the Washington State Department of Transportation. She is a long-time proponent of active transportation safety, equity, and accessibility, previously serving as the executive director of the nonprofit Washington Bikes. Her work has been recognized with regional, state, and national awards.

Tanisha Sepúlveda is a program coordinator for Empower Movement WA, a coalition of BIPOC and disabled mobility advocates supported by Disability Rights Washington and Front and Centered.

Presented by Town Hall Seattle.

Browsers is so pleased to welcome Anna Zivarts on Tuesday, June 11th at 6:00 PM. Zivarts will be in conversation with Veronica Jarvis about her new book, When Driving Is Not An Option (Island Press). The event will be held downstairs at the bookshop.

In When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency disability advocate Anna Letitia Zivarts shines a light on the frustrating, dangerous, sometimes deadly situations involuntary nondrivers face every day and outlines steps to center the voices of nondrivers and make transportation more inclusive. Drawing from both her own experiences as a low-vision, non-driving mom and those of nondrivers across the country, Zivarts amplifies voices rarely heard or acknowledged by the people making decisions about transportation design and funding.

There are many reasons why people are involuntary nondrivers including disabilities (visible or invisible), mental health conditions, age, poverty, and immigration status. Zivarts celebrates the resilience of nondrivers while describing the barriers they encounter, such as nonexistent or broken sidewalks, indirect and lengthy transit trips, dangerous and impossibly wide roadways that divide our communities, and unaffordable and unscalable ride-hail options.

Anna Letitia Zivarts is a low-vision mom and nondriver who was born with the neurological condition nystagmus. Since launching the Disability Mobility Initiative at Disability Rights Washington in 2020, Zivarts has worked to bring the voices of nondrivers to the planning and policy-making tables through organizing, research and policy campaigns led by nondrivers. She began her career as an organizer and videographer, producing videos and collecting stories for the LGBT & HIV/AIDS and Voting Rights projects at the ACLU, and co-founding the union and worker-run video production company Time of Day Media.

Veronica Jarvis is currently a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Planner at Thurston Regional Planning Council in Olympia, Washington. Veronica previously served two Washington state Governors, one as Budget Assistant for Transportation in the Office of Financial Management and one doing community outreach and events. Although Veronica is a Washington native, she has biked, walked, and rolled all across the United States and world. Spreading the good word of TDM and encouraging better accessibility for all modes is more than a job for Veronica, it is a passion. She enjoys getting around by bike, bus, and foot with her kids, rain or shine in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

This event is hosted by Browsers Bookshop.

One third of people living in the United States do not have a driver license. The majority of involuntary nondrivers are disabled, lower income, unhoused, formerly incarcerated, undocumented immigrants, kids, young people, and the elderly. They are also largely invisible due to a mobility system designed almost exclusively for drivers. When Driving is Not an Option shines a light on the reality for non-drivers and explains how improving our transportation system with nondrivers in mind will create a better quality of life for everyone. This book is written by a low-vision mom, disability advocate, and fellow non-driver Anna Letitia Zivarts.

During this event, Zivarts will explain that when the needs of involuntary nondrivers are viewed as essential to how we design our transportation systems and our communities, not only will we be able to more easily get where we need to go, but the changes will lead to healthier, climate-friendly communities for everyone.

• Moderator: Laura Tolkoff / Transportation Policy Director, SPUR
• Anna Zivarts / Author, When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency
• Jeff Wood / Principal, The Overhead Wire

When Driving Is Not An Option
July 17 2024 02:00pm - 03:00pm
Online and Free! 

Disability Pride Month highlights making spaces and services accessible to the needs of a diverse population. When traveling in the US, driving is often the only option and nondrivers disproportionally face accessibility challenges.  

In her new book, When Driving Is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency, disability advocate Anna Zivarts argues that improvements to transportation systems must keep nondrivers in mind. Join Zivarts as she presents her new book and learn how prioritizing this group can also lead to healthier, climate-friendly options for everyone. 

Order your copy through the New York Transit Museum Store today!

​Join us for a public webinar featuring Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving is Not an Option, in collaboration with the Parking Reform Network. Discover insights on transit inequities and the link to parking. A dynamic Q&A session will follow the presentation. 

​Don't miss this opportunity! Invite your friends and RSVP now!  Presented by the Parking Reform Network. 

Join Downtown On the Go, The Urbanist, and friends for a two part book event with Anna Zivarts and Tom Fucoloro on Saturday August 3rd!

RSVP strongly encouraged using the form below.

Anna Zivarts is a low-vision parent, nondriver and author of When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency (Island Press, 2024). Anna created the #WeekWithoutDriving challenge and is passionate about bringing the voices of nondrivers to the planning and policy-making tables. Anna sits on the boards of the League of American Bicyclists, the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium and the Washington State Transportation Innovation Council. She also serves as a member of TRB’s Committee on Public Health and Transportation (AME70) and the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center Coordinating Committee.

Tom Fucoloro is the Founder and Editor of Seattle Bike Blog and author of Biking Uphill in the Rain: The Story of Seattle from Behind the Handlebars (University of Washington Press, 2023).Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Tom sold his car to pay for his move to Seattle. He is an independent journalist who believes more people biking more places safely is a good thing for society. Seattle Neighborhood Greenways named Tom the 2014 Greenways Champion as “the individual who has most advanced the cause of safe streets in Seattle.” Seattle Met named Tom one of “The 15 People Who Should Really Run Seattle” in 2015. Cascade Bicycle Club named Tom the recipient of the 2023 Doug Walker Award “for outstanding leadership in improving lives through bicycling.” He is the author of Biking Uphill in the Rain: The Story of Seattle from Behind the Handlebars (University of Washington Press, 2023).

Family-Friendly Social
Wright Park (501 S I St, Tacoma WA 98405), 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Meet others interested in cycling, transit, and mobility for all! This is a casual social event, so bring your friends and meet some new people. Some food will be provided.

Book Readings
King’s Books (218 St Helens Avenue, Tacoma WA 98402), 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Learn more about Anna’s and Tom’s books with readings and an opportunity to ask the authors questions. Books will be available for purchase.

Pedestrian Dignity advocates are excited to be hosting a book talk conversation + Q&A with When Driving Is Not An Option author, Anna Zivarts. We will invite Anna to share an overview of her work, a summary of her book, and perhaps offer a small reading. We will have several questions lined up for Anna and then will open up the gathering for group questions and connection.

Anna Zivarts is a low-vision parent, nondriver and author of When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency (Island Press, 2024). Anna created the #WeekWithoutDriving challenge and is passionate about bringing the voices of nondrivers to the planning and policy-making tables. Anna sits on the boards of the League of American Bicyclists, the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium and the Washington State Transportation Innovation Council. She also serves as a member of TRB's Committee on Public Health and Transportation (AME70) and the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center Coordinating Committee.

More About When Driving Is Not An Option: One third of people living in the United States do not have a driver license. The majority of involuntary nondrivers are disabled, lower income, unhoused, formerly incarcerated, undocumented immigrants, kids, young people, and the elderly. They are also largely invisible due to a mobility system designed almost exclusively for drivers. When Driving is Not an Option shines a light on the reality for non-drivers and explains how improving our transportation system with nondrivers in mind will create a better quality of life for everyone. This book is written by a low-vision mom, disability advocate, and fellow non-driver Anna Letitia Zivarts. During this event, Zivarts will explain that when the needs of involuntary nondrivers are viewed as essential to how we design our transportation systems and our communities, not only will we be able to more easily get where we need to go, but the changes will lead to healthier, climate-friendly communities for everyone.

Your Hosts: Nica Cave, Alejandra Castañeda, Justin Bai, James Warren, and Jonathon Stalls

Book Raffle & Discount! We will be raffling off one free copy of When Driving Is Not An Option during the event. Everyone who joins will receive a 30% discount code towards the end of the gathering to purchase Anna's book!

Contact Info, Access Requests & Questions: Please reach out to Jonathon at (720) 263-0227 or jonathon (at) intrinsicpaths (dot) com for any questions/access needs.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to not be able to drive? Chances are you know nondrivers. 

About one third of people living in the United States do not have a driver's license. Many involuntary nondrivers, including those who are disabled, lower-income, unhoused, formerly incarcerated, undocumented immigrants, children, youth, and the elderly, remain largely invisible. This invisibility results in a mobility system designed almost exclusively for drivers. 

In When Driving is Not an Option, disability advocate and author, Anna Zivarts highlights the number of people in the US who cannot drive and explains how improving our transportation system with nondrivers in mind will enhance the quality of life for all.

Across the United States, millions of people navigate a transportation system built primarily for drivers—yet one-third of the population does not hold a driver’s license. Involuntary nondrivers, including disabled individuals, low-income communities, the elderly, and other marginalized groups, are often overlooked in transportation planning. 

This webinar delves into the realities of those who cannot or choose not to drive, as detailed in When Driving Is Not an Option by disability advocate and author Anna Zivarts. Zivarts will discuss how centering transportation design around nondrivers can create healthier, more equitable, and climate-friendly communities for everyone.

Hosted by The Eno Center for Transportation.

One third of people living in the United States do not have a driver license. Because the majority of involuntary nondrivers are disabled, lower income, unhoused, formerly incarcerated, undocumented immigrants, kids, young people, and the elderly, they are largely invisible. The consequence of this invisibility is a mobility system designed almost exclusively for drivers. This system has human-health, environmental, and quality-of-life costs for everyone, not just for those excluded from it.  If we’re serious about addressing climate change and inequality, we must address our transportation system.

In When Driving is Not an Option disability advocate Anna Letitia Zivarts shines a light on the number of people in the US who cannot drive and explains how improving our transportation system with nondrivers in mind will create a better quality of life for everyone.

Drawing from interviews with involuntary nondrivers from around the US and from her own experience, Zivarts explains how nondrivers get around and the changes necessary to make our communities more accessible. These changes include improving sidewalk connectivity; providing reliable and affordable transit and paratransit; creating more options for biking, scooting, and wheeling; building more affordable and accessible housing; and the understanding the unrecognized burden of asking and paying for rides.

Zivarts shows that it is critical to include people who can’t drive in transportation planning decisions. She outlines steps that organizations can take to include and promote leadership of those who are most impacted—and too often excluded—by transportation systems designed by and run by people who can drive. The book ends with a checklist of actions that you, as an individual living in a car-dependent society, can take in your own life to help all of us move beyond automobility.

When the needs of involuntary nondrivers are viewed as essential to how we design our transportation systems and our communities, not only will we be able to more easily get where we need to go, but the changes will lead to healthier, climate-friendly communities for everyone.

About the Author:

Anna Letitia Zivarts is a low-vision mom and nondriver who was born with the neurological condition nystagmus. Since launching the Disability Mobility Initiative at Disability Rights Washington in 2020, Anna has worked to bring the voices of nondrivers to the planning and policy-making tables through organizing, research and policy campaigns led by nondrivers.

She began her career as a organizer and videographer, producing videos and collecting stories for the LGBT & HIV/AIDS and Voting Rights projects at the ACLU, and co-founding the union and worker-run video production company Time of Day Media.

Anna’s Headshot Description:

A black-and-white portrait of a white woman smiling with short blond hair and thick black glasses.

Book Cover Description from Cover Artist:

An illustration depicting a group of people waiting at a bus-stop shelter. The background is lightly sketched, with a few abstract buildings and evergreen trees. At the bus stop, there are two transit ambassadors wearing uniforms, a woman with a white cane, a man using a walking cane, and a girl using a wheelchair. Adjacent to the shelter, there is a bus parked with the wheelchair ramp deployed, and the driver is smiling while looking at the group of travelers.

Thanks to our partners Elliott Bay Book Company and Island Books.

Thanks to our sponsors The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.

Thanks to media sponsor The Seattle Times.

Registration required. Click here to register.  

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

This program highlights the efforts of the disability justice community and is free and open to all. The Library celebrates and reflects the voices, experiences and perspectives of Seattle’s diverse communities in our spaces, collections and programs. 

Please join for an informal book talk and signing with Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving is Not an Option. We are excited to have Anna back in Tucson to share her work, uplift the experiences of involuntary non-drivers, and inspire us about the steps we can take to support accessible transportation. We will have light refreshments and books for sale!

5th Square is pleased to welcome author Anna Zivarts to Philadelphia for a book talk about her newly-published book about adapting our transportation system for non-drivers titled When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency.

One third of people living in the United States do not have a driver license. The majority of involuntary nondrivers are disabled, lower income, unhoused, formerly incarcerated, undocumented immigrants, kids, young people, and the elderly. They are also largely invisible due to a mobility system designed almost exclusively for drivers.

When Driving is Not an Option shines a light on the reality for non-drivers and explains how improving our transportation system with nondrivers in mind will create a better quality of life for everyone. This book is written by a low-vision mom, disability advocate, and fellow non-driver Anna Letitia Zivarts.

During this event, Zivarts will explain that when the needs of involuntary nondrivers are viewed as essential to how we design our transportation systems and our communities, not only will we be able to more easily get where we need to go, but the changes will lead to healthier, climate-friendly communities for everyone.

Pizza and drinks will be provided. A $10 donation is suggested.

Public & Active Transportation:

   Market-Frankford Line, Broad-Ridge Spur, or PATCO to 8th Street Station
   Bus routes: 17, 33, 38, 44, 47, 61, 62
   Regional Rail: Jefferson Station

This event is co-presented by CARIE and Transit Forward Philadelphia

Join When Driving Is Not an Option author Anna Zivarts at LINK Houston's 2024 Transit and the City Community Conversation and Celebration.

Transit and the City 2024 is being held during National Week Without Driving, a nationwide week of action that seeks to educate elected officials, public officials, advocates and individuals of the barriers faced by non-drivers trying to move safely through their communities.

Everyday Americans who can’t drive – approximately 25 percent of the population – face significant barriers to mobility such as inadequate sidewalks, poor transit, lack of connectivity and dangerous roads. Your attendance supports LINK Houston's work advocating for the right of every Houstonian to access opportunity. 

One third of people living in the United States do not have a driver license. Because the majority of involuntary nondrivers are disabled, lower income, unhoused, formerly incarcerated, undocumented immigrants, kids, young people, and the elderly, they are largely invisible. The consequence of this invisibility is a mobility system designed almost exclusively for drivers. This system has human-health, environmental, and quality-of-life costs for everyone, not just for those excluded from it. If we’re serious about addressing climate change and inequality, we must address our transportation system.

In When Driving is Not an Option disability advocate Anna Letitia Zivarts shines a light on the number of people in the US who cannot drive and explains how improving our transportation system with nondrivers in mind will create a better quality of life for everyone.

Hosted by Build the Era.

During October, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will celebrate National Pedestrian Safety Month. States, local leaders, traffic safety professionals, transportation planners and engineers, other stakeholders, and concerned residents are invited to join us in helping to create a transportation system for all people to easily and safely walk.

NHTSA will showcase new Pedestrian Safety Month material that have been developed to promote pedestrian safety during a webinar on September 26 at 1 p.m. ET. NHTSA is focused on creating a human-centric and community orientated approach with resources and messaging to promote safer places for all to walk, bike, and roll.

Join us for a 60-minute webinar that will have a panel of experts representing the Governors Highway Safety Association, National Center for Safe Routes to School, TX Pedestrian Safety Coalition, Disability Rights Washington (Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving Is Not An Option), and NHTSA leadership.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

NHTSA is committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. People with disabilities can submit an accommodation request, and people with limited English proficiency can submit a language access request. Please submit any request to NHTSA.Communication@dot.gov by September 19.

Liveable Kirkland invites you to a discussion with low-vision parent and author of When Driving Is Not an Option, Anna Zivarts, Director of the Disability Mobility Initiative at Disability Rights Washington. About 30% of Washingtonians don't have a driver's license. When planners center the needs of involuntary non-drivers there are benefits for everyone. This in-person event will be held at the Peter Kirk Community Center/Kirkland Senior Center. After the talk, there will be time for questions and socializing.

Agenda
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM - Doors open, cookies, coffee, tea
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Author presentation
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM- Questions
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM - Socializing, clean up, and doors lock

Team TARTA invites you to learn more about how we are Transforming the Region Through Transit and keeping our promise to the community.

Team TARTA invites you to join us at the Glass City Center on Thursday, November 14th for a community event with exciting updates about the future of TARTA and how transit is transforming the region with Laura Koprowski, TARTA's Chief Executive Officer.

Special guest Anna Letitia Zivarts will focus on the challenges nondrivers face when connecting to our community, and how changes to our mobility system benefit everyone. Anna is the author of When Driving Is Not An Option: Steering Away From Car Dependency, and the creator of the National Week Without Driving Challenge.

TARTA is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. If you require an accommodation or language access (interpretation or translation) services to fully participate, please contact Andy Cole at acole@tarta.com or at (419) 245-5213 at least 7 days prior to the event. These services are provided for free and at no cost to the participant.

Registration: 8:30 AM- 9:00 AM

Program : 9:00 AM- 10:00 AM